Srecko Sostar

Bethel is sort of building and not place where faith lives. Behtel workers who answer as you had said, have more correct faith than some GB members who before many years (decades) put their signatures on Bibles as gift to some public officials. This "custom" is "normal" for those who are "part of the world", what ever that have or should mean in this or any other context. :)) Perhaps TTH not expecting from me to read his entire column :)))

Why you are upset? WTJWorg preaching that you are not part of this world. If you are not par of it, why would you be part of these list? :))

We have been renting for many years. We now rent a residential part of the house (two room flat) we live in and also a large part of one house a little further away. We have always had lower prices than many others..... And we pay taxes to the state . One tenant is currently without a permanent job because of Covid 19. We told the tenant that the rent amount, which is otherwise for one month, will be for the next three months. Hopefully they can find some work and a paycheck.

Thanks for link!

Is this is "problem" because @Witness is woman, or problem is because she belongs to group of "wise virgins" ...... who all are "women" .... at least in Jesus's illustration ? :)) Wonder, why He used virgins (women not men) to give lesson, and said; some "virgins" (women), are wise and some are not? :))

Out of your mind maybe. I've only heard of this happening once and I agree with having a man's reputation restored in behalf of his friends and family who knew him. I would want that for sure if it was me. Apparently you wouldn't - that's fine. 81.13 Restoration Within Two Years. If within two years from the date of his suspension a brother tenders payment to the Secretary of the lodge which suspended him, the amount he owed at the time of his suspension plus restoration fee of five dollars, and the amount of the dues for the current year, or if the lodge by a majority vote of the members present remits the same or a part thereof and if such payment and/or remission shall make him clear on the books, he shall be automatically restored to membership as of the date of such payment or remission and due notice shall be taken thereof in the minutes of the lodge at the next stated communication. 81.14 Restoration After Two Years. A suspended member who has remained suspended for a period of more than two years cannot be restored to membership automatically. Such a member shall be required to present a written request to the lodge setting forth his desire to be restored and shall tender therewith payment of all dues in arrears at the time of his suspension plus the amount of the dues for the current year and plus restoration fee of five dollars. The Master will appoint a committee for investigation and report. At a subsequent stated communication the lodge shall by secret ballot take action on the question of restoration. A three-fourths favorable ballot of the members present shall be necessary for restoration. If the member stands rejected the payment tendered with his request for restoration shall be returned to him, and he shall not apply again within six months from the date of rejection. 81.16 When Restoration Not Permitted. If the address of a member suspended for the nonpayment of dues is unknown and he has never signified a desire to restore his membership or if he dies while suspended, a lodge cannot accept from any other person a payment of his dues and then restore him to membership. - http://members.wisc-freemasonry.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wisconsin-Masonic-Code_2018_Revision.pdf In Google searching for WTJWorg terminology - posthumous reinstatement - nothing was found. But i found Masons Constitution. But again, nothing about dead people :))). .... hear and say ??? But nothing in print. Perhaps some memo (BOE letter) for elders eye only? :))) JW's said there is no life after death and how dead person payed for all their sins and waiting for resurrection. Also, God and Jesus will judge all people, including dead people. But you say how elders are in capacity to deal with dead JW members. :))) Or, particular elders just have to do cleaning job, because of living elders who made a mess.

Do You suggest how satan has more power over people than god plan to give him? Do You suggest how context of individual or organized faith in WTJWorg, as in example of Job or old Jew people in past time, is not sufficient to reveal devil's games and deceit? .... I can agree with with this, if you think the same. But, that would mean how devil is powerful enough to deceive whole WTJWorg in the same manner, as he done with many other individuals, groups and nations before. So, JW elders are not what they have to be? Standard practice in secular law system? Because secular law system is not good enough as WTJWorg judicial system is? JW elders are guided by HS because of elder's prayer and bible principles, so why congregants would need "standard practice"? Secrecy? Secret knowledge? Knowledge that few can understand? When Judicial committee made decision about the "case" and announced it before congregation, do you say how they making second or third or fourth meeting and take time to discussing how their first decision is not so good ? Idea and practice of posthumous reinstatement, you said is happening in JWorg, is out of mind. You can't reinstate dead body. But you can "punish" elders who done bad things. And public announcement about this, can bring some satisfaction to living family, relatives, friends and brothers who witnessed to injustice.

I need to ask: Who and why (for what reasons) and when making revision of elders (judicial committees) decisions? Does in WT exists regulations, charter about such policy - revision on judicial committees? Where we can find instructions on that? What are, where are Bible examples for such practice? And of course, same questions for "posthumous reinstatement" !?

In Jesus time, OCD didn't "existed". In those times, secular medicine and even Jew medicine wasn't advanced as today, they have no clue about OCD. Perhaps they would say how such persons are mad or possessed by demons. Bible speaks nothing about OCD. Such terminology is not in Bible, so we can conclude OCD not existing :))) similar to some other words: blood transfusion, hell, cross, airplane, GB, organization ...etc. But word "follower" does. :))))

Russian JW's will go to Siberia "wilderness" with Antonov 225. How many JW's members are aviators for such airplanes?

Bible symbolism and human interpretations are source of endless possibilities.

Thanks! Of, course, your education about many things are valuable. I referred comment on that part of "religious education" that came to be useless even inside WTJWorg standards. All what came to be "doctrinal err" in the eyes of JW bible scholars was changed and automatically is useless knowledge. We can wait to see what other doctrines and interpretations will be changed, reformed or completely reject also because of "clarification and new light". In that sense this future process (or perhaps process that are in progress out of JW members eyes) will also show how useless is present religious knowledge on various subjects that today JW's hold as "truth" and blessings.

In the age of this Corona contagion, the term "social distance" emerged. In recommending how to protect their health against this virus, health care providers have introduced some measures regarding the behavior of people in their interactions with each other. One of them is famous "social distance". What does it mean first of all to have "social distance" in this Corona context? This means that the physical distance between persons must not be less than 1 meter, or 2 meters or similar. This is actually about physical distance, not social distance. Because, no one forbade people to talk and exchange thoughts. By any means, directly or virtually, using technology. From this we could conclude that the term/word and the means used to prevent infection is deficient in clarity, is wrong. Having a "social distance" would mean refraining from making intellectual and emotional contact with other people. It would mean that we do not want to talk to them, that we do not want to accept them as people belonging to a particular "social" group. It would mean that don't want to see them, literally and transmitted. Specifically, we see that these disease measures primarily seek to reduce physical contact between people. This is about "close physical contact". Anything less than 6 feet. :)) What is interesting about Corona measures? WTJWorg using both sort of measures to control "disease" inside Organization for very long time, and without possibility to "relax" this measures. With "shunning" policy JW's members using social and physical distance on people who are not JW members any more. That could mean how "Corona" existing constantly inside WTJWorg, long before Wuhan :)).

@César Chávez thanks for comment. This remind me on changes WTJWorg made before few years about "approach" to bible text. In recent years, the spiritual instruction provided by Jehovah’s organization has reflected an increased emphasis on simplicity and clarity...... ....In times past, it was more common for our literature to take what might be called a type-antitype approach to Scriptural accounts. ....In times past, it was more common for our literature to take what might be called a type-antitype approach to Scriptural accounts. ...Thus, we find that our literature today focuses more on the simple, practical lessons about faith, endurance, godly devotion, and other vital qualities that we learn about from Bible accounts.... -https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20150315/clear-simple-teaching-bible-truth/ Well, for decades WT Society made complicated and useless interpretations about Bible text. In this WT study article they said so. Now, supposedly, truth became more simple and more understandable. What sort of knowledge, writers of WT publications were presented before? Boring, inconsistent and complicated explanations that simple and ignorant members could not understand. They said so. Both group, writers and readers!! And of course, type-anti type model not working any more in this doctrinal delusions. So, they find it suitable to make "truth" more simple, more clear and more understandable :))) than it used to be in previous decades. They baked a new cake that many eating and ask for more, also as generations of the past done the same with old cake :))

I guess how "spirituality" has nothing with organized religion, or in other words, individual not necessary need to be under The System of religious Doctrines and Hierarchy to gain spirituality and to please god. Also, many individuals have some gifts to be "spiritual leaders", or "political leaders" or "leaders" in some sport team or on construction ground while making building or in some project for new toaster or phone. I don't denying your's or anyone else "right" to take role of "religious leaders". If GB or WT elders have need to be "leaders" or in role as instruments, tools for implementing decisions of decision makers. What i have is right to put in question your position, or position of your "religious leaders". And to give some observation about structure and policy in such "religious arrangement". With comparing "religious authorities" aka GB with "secular authorities" i put, for public conversation, question: who is on higher position? GB or Secular Authorities? Who of these two group, JW members need to obey more? I suggest not to respond with general neutral answer: "We must obey god more than men", because that would mean and would clearly point to next level: JW members are NOT Obligated to obey WTJWorg GB doctrines and instructions. Because of same reasons revealed in primary answer made by Peter. Many ex-JW and many of existing JW's are aware of wrong doctrines and policies and instructions made by their leaders. Question for such JW members is "Who do they obey more?". If JW members are not obligated to submit and obey every (non) "inspired utterance" from GB mouth why JW's members have problem to openly talk about it in private or little groups or on congregational meetings? Why they have fear from men and not from god? That is fundamental question here. JW's are not in fear if they go to prison because of "bible principles". How come to that that they have fear of that they will be dfd because of "things" and "bible principles" which are undoubtedly in sphere of "individual spirituality" and conscience, about so many err and wrong doctrines they have to obey and preach to other people? If you are ready to promote any sort of disobedience to "secular authorities" because of religious arguments, than you have to be ready to promote same sort of disobedience to "religious authorities and leaders" in own Church, because of same reason.

Religious WT leaders aka bible scholars aka elders, inside this Organization aka Congregation, have had all the time from 19th century until today for "careful study". They saw some things different than other churches, some stay same as in other churches. "Careful study" wasn't so careful, as you suggest for yourself or for GB. Religious doctrines form past to today are proof for wrong understanding despite all efforts and hours of "careful study". What about this? Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. - Rom 13 Where is said that elders are in higher status than governing authorities? Despite idea of .... in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[a] which he obtained with his own blood. Are you sure that every elder (or all of them in WT) is established and put in place by HS? Because you used this bible text too: ... And when they had appointed elders for them in every church .... Who appointed elders? They! .... is the answer in text. Or you suggest how this kind of HS power (to appointing other people into elders in the name of HS) is portable, transferable from man to man? But than you will come to stand before wall, again. WTJWorg and GB claims how no single man, woman or child in this Congregation is not inspired by HS. If you are not inspired why would you think how you can be guided by HS to appoint next elder? You made good conclusion how: But, is it possible to see deception because we have "careful study"???

by Merriam-Webster: Definition of lackey (Entry 1 of 2) 1a: FOOTMAN sense 2, SERVANT b: someone who does menial tasks or runs errands for another 2: a servile follower : TOADY Definition of footman 1aarchaic : a traveler on foot : PEDESTRIAN b: INFANTRYMAN 2a: a servant in livery formerly attending a rider or required to run in front of his master's carriage b: a servant who serves at table, tends the door, and runs errands Definition of toady (Entry 1 of 2) : one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors : SYCOPHAN Definition of sycophant : a servile self-seeking flatterer

Absolutely. WTJWorg study magazines and other publications with GB as Main Doctrinal Body who giving interpretations on Bible text forgetting reality: Between good and bad, between black and white is wide specter of details and variations. But they want only one picture about themselves to be visible and applicable on them. Positive and "imperfectly perfect"picture. Because of such illusion and wrong self perception they are not able to see how their policy and leadership contributes in fulfillment of second part (impossible to be part, as they say) about "evil slave". And here we came to second issue. No one appointed them to be in that role of "slave" - good or evil. They choose to be in that role by own free will.

Yes, very interesting subject. We have to remind us how first Christians, or Jesus' followers, Jesus' disciples, put their life, didn't want to reject their faith in Jesus, because of Jesus, and not because of JHVH. First followers (not JHVH's followers but Jesus' followers) gave their lives because they did not want to deny their faith in Jesus. They did not want to give up the name of Jesus. The name JHVH was not the name they want to defend and protect. The name Jesus brings some controversy. Interestingly and contrary of what we generally might think and what we perhaps didn't say clearly enough with right wording, but: followers of JHVH name persecuted people who been followers of Jesus name. This giving specific dimension to issue and contribute to your reasoning and explanation about modern scene and how JHVH Organization operate in the Name of God (FDS, anointed individuals etc).

OT speaking about giving testimony or about be witness for JHVH according to Isaiah. But NT speaking about bearing witness to Jesus. It seems how WTJWorg chooses OT model instead NT.

Yes, i am also pretty sure how believers, of all kind, and here JW's particularly was and/or will find themselves in difficult situations ........ when invoking the name of God becomes the only, last hope, and when it becomes the only, final way to feel protected.

One "catholic" translation of Bible came in 1969 (this was first Bible translation in communist ex-Yugoslavia), and this translation have god's name in form "Jahve" (first JW Bible in Croatian language brought form - Jehova) It is interesting how in preaching service (talking about past time, but seems it is same today) if person on door said Jahve, JW's are not willing to accept this as His name in full, but giving favor to form Jehova. When non JW using this form instead of "official" JW name for God it sounds in the ears of JW's as "wrong" pronunciation or as less "acceptable" pronunciation. And you can test this, just start using name Jahve in every day meetings and comments. Many elders will find need to talk with you about it :))))

In Croatian (as in other languages), some city names (as well as other names) are spelled, written differently and pronounced differently from the original. For example, the capital of Austria is Wien (German) or Vienna (English), but in Croatian it is Beč. There is no possible way for non Croatian language reader to see some similarity and conclude it can be same town. As we all have experience with the name in this way, no matter what word you speak in any of the languages, German, English or Croatian for the Austrian capital, most people will be clear about what it is. Perhaps there is some problems or worry about 4 letters and pronounce and/or meaning of some particular pronounce. If 4 letters representing god's name and Him personally, perhaps the simplest way how not to use wrong pronounce is just simply spelling 4 letters when want to name God. Just opinion :))

It seems how we are all "afflicted" with many things. Not only with Corona, religious doctrines, economy .... but also with pronunciation of letters and words :)))

Yes, several verses. But several verses from one and same person. :))